[pumpsndumps]

What has happened to Lowriding? What has happened to the lifestyle and sport I love? What has happened to the hydraulic competitions?

I have been involved in Lowriding since I was 16 and am now almost 30. When I got into the "scene" it was night and day difference to what it is today. Over the past 14 years I have seen the sport grow and evolve along with more recently fading away slowly but surely. We went from 18-20 LRM shows across the country 5 years ago to now having 3 LRM shows this year and Vegas. However, this year the hydraulics is only Exhibition and not even competition. Over the past 3-5 years I have danced my truck at nearly 15-20 shows a summer but this year, well thats something totally different and im in a funk about it. The only competitions left in the midwest this year are Carl Casper in February and Cruisefest in OH. Other than that, our sport and way of life has been reduced to exhibitions or all together cancelled. My dancer is in the garage right now in need of a new rear end and 4link but how do I justify it. Yes, I love it but damn it just sucks to not have any shows to go out and compete and be proud of what you built.

Anyone else feel this way cause im just feeling bummed out......

Guess im just gonna have to build a show car again cause I think the hydraulic era is done......

 

[AndrewH]

yeah and when you do get to bring it out, alkl anyone wants to see is you flip it over as quick as possible, am I right?

Lowriding missed its chance of becoming a major part of the auto world, mainly by being stuborn, and not open to new ideas or even variations of exsisting ideas. So now all thats left to everyone, other than the hardcore lifetime fans/builders, is exibition level stunts, nothing worthy of respect, with very little 'replay' entertainiment value.

Lowriding has some of the cleanest cars, period. But when the owners call the people who used to look up to them posers and wannabe's cuz they want to bring there own thing to the table, those up and comers move on to somthing else, and thats why the minitruck-tuner-airbag-hotrod-classis-custom-donk scene get more attention in the publics eye and honestly alot more respect (well maybe not donks)

 

[trefive]

My theories:
1) Gangsta rap is no longer popular
2) Economy
3) Too much "bashing" has taken the fun out of it

 

[pumpsndumps]

Yeah, I think the economy has played a huge role in the cancelation of alot of the shows.

I just feel fortunate enough to be involved with a Team of guys (Clint, Bruce, Bryan, Andrew, Donnie) that still enjoys it even if we dont have as many competitions any more.

Maybe one day it will come back or a new Magazine or Tour will start and help promote it again down the rode.....

 

[lowdeville]

In some peoples' eyes,hopping is just a "spin-off"of lowriding,(ask some it's not even lowriding).Lowriding will never die,I think with the popularization of TV shows like livin the low life,it will only gain a larger following.

 

[I.L.L.]

Originally posted by trefive@Jan 15 2009, 10:53 AM~12712851
My theories:
1) Gangsta rap is no longer popular
2) Economy
3) Too much "bashing" has taken the fun out of it

I agree with 1 & 2, but not 3. I think "bashing" comes with any sport/lifestyle, and the more shit folks talk, just really makes me want to step my game up that much more when it comes to my cars. The loudmouths make me want to not cut corners on my builds, and do things clean and RIGHT. Again, hecklers come with any sport, so why should this one be any different? BTW, I'm only talking about the Rider community, AKA people who own cars, the people with rides need to shut their fat mouths and enjoy the show(while it lasts).....my .02

 

[KINGFISH_CUSTOMS]

this is why im very happy to live up in norther california.... streetlow does a show in san jose...plus i got tons of local bbq's and lil car shows..

 

[ricndaregal]

and thats why im glad i live in l.a. every sunday theres something to do if not just cruisin uffin:

 

[pumpsndumps]

maybe i should move back to california then....lol


but for real, the midwest has just slowly been killed off by LRM slowy phasing out all the shows on our side of the map....

lets see we used to have, Chicago, Indy, Kansas City, Tampa, Miami, North Carolina to just name a few..... Now, all those are GONE

Not to mention NOPI and ITB are now done....

 

[redline]

Originally posted by ricndaregal@Jan 15 2009, 02:48 PM~12713341
and thats why im glad i live in l.a.  every sunday theres something to do if not just cruisin uffin:

yeah count your blessings!money is real funny right now thats y they stopped shows on the east coast!we as riders have to keep it alive we cant lowrider mag stop our show!its a street thang with me!thats were it all started!

 

[SIK_9D1]

So the Hydraulic Competition is done this year?

 

[pumpsndumps]

yeah count your blessings!money is real funny right now thats y they stopped shows on the east coast!we as riders have to keep it alive we cant lowrider mag stop our show!its a street thang with me!thats were it all started!

Yes it is up to the lowriders to keep the movement alive. However, no on can deny the fact that with LRM cancelling more shows each year, it definately hasnt helped the movement. Also, if it wasnt for LRM, there probably never would have been a "TOUR" across the US that helped promote the hydraulic competitions. Although it sucks the LRM Hydro Competitions have come to an end, I am grateful for the years I did get to compete.

 

[redline]

Originally posted by pumpsndumps@Jan 15 2009, 03:40 PM~12713798
Yes it is up to the lowriders to keep the movement alive.  However, no on can deny the fact that with LRM cancelling more shows each year, it definately hasnt helped the movement.  Also, if it wasnt for LRM, there probably never would have been a "TOUR" across the US that helped promote the hydraulic competitions.  Although it sucks the LRM Hydro Competitions have come to an end, I am grateful for the years I did get to compete.

its people like us who have to keep it alive and when things pick back up we will get our time to shine again! or someone else will pick up were they left off!

 

[cashmoneyspeed]

Originally posted by pumpsndumps@Jan 15 2009, 01:01 PM~12713464
maybe i should move back to california then....lol
but for real, the midwest has just slowly been killed off by LRM slowy phasing out all the shows on our side of the map....

lets see we used to have, Chicago, Indy, Kansas City, Tampa, Miami, North Carolina to just name a few.....  Now, all those are GONE

Not to mention NOPI and ITB are now done....

LRM hasn't killed off anything. They pulled out of the midwest due to financial decisions. It just sucks that there are no organizations willing to put in the time and money to have larger shows out here. I know if there was at least one large show in the midwest, it would bring in a lot of cars and people.

 

[pumpsndumps]

Ok yes they pulled out because of financial issues, that may be true but with not major shows to attend where has that left the sport??? I would love for someone to host a large show/competition out here but thats awful risky financially considering the economy ....

 

[JasonJ]

Circus cars killed it.

 

[AndrewH]

it was a catch 22. LRM didnt support what they needed to support (the midwest,east coast,etc) and now have lost there support in return, which is hurting them financially.

they thought cutting shows and raising prices would make anyone ant to support them? As far as I'm concerned, LRM has nothing to do with lowriding, at least in my book. thats like saying Sports Illustrated and ESPN going under would kill football...

 

[MERCILESS CAR CLUB]

travis i feel for you having a dancer is bad in these times but we all knew it was coming just was shocked couple weeks ago when i found out

 

[pumpsndumps]

it was a catch 22. LRM didnt support what they needed to support (the midwest,east coast,etc) and now have lost there support in return, which is hurting them financially.

WELL PUT!

 

[pumpsndumps]

As far as I'm concerned, LRM has nothing to do with lowriding, at least in my book. thats like saying Sports Illustrated and ESPN going under would kill football..

Maybe so, but LRM is what got alot of us into this sport. I remember reading the magazine when I was 15 years old thinking how awesome the vehicles were and knew I wanted to get on that level one day. As far as Sports Illustrated and ESPN if they went under, yes football would still exist but neither of those companies is both the promoter/magazine and the league. The NFL along with other sports have so much TV time and other advertising but I understand your point. LRM was a huge force in the lowrider movement across the country in previous years but has now just become another magazine on the shelf at walmart that most people dont even pick up...